Coupes that define grandeur and performance have always been Mercedes Benz's specialty, alongside other excellent cars they make. In the motoring world, such coupes are often called Grand Tourers or GT cars. One of these coupes is the Mercedes Benz SL, a car that is by far among the best offerings in its class. The current Mercedes Benz SL, unveiled in October 2021, took the GT car market segment by storm. It aimed to compete against the Audi R8, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 911 992, and BMW 8 Series. There are also others like the Lexus LC and Aston Martin Vantage with which it shares an engine.
However, the current SL did not carry the "500" SL prefix like some of its predecessors. Instead, Mercedes unveiled two trim levels, the SL55 and SL63, with the 4.0-liter M177 V8. The power output in the SL55 is 469 horsepower, while the Mercedes Benz SL63 has a staggering 577 horsepower! Retail prices are also different. When first unveiled, the SL55 had a starting price of around $140,000, while the SL63 retailed for roughly $180,000. What are the other differences between the two specs? Read on to find out. But first, let's take a look at the SL's history.
In the 1950s, open-top two-seaters were becoming so common that Mercedes had to make one. Initially, they took one of their two-seater race cars and did extensive bodywork to make the 300 SL Coupe in 1954 known for its iconic gullwing doors. The 300 SL Coupe would then give rise to the 300 SL Roadster and 300 SLR Uhlenhaut. There was also the 190 SL, which was a cheaper option to the 300 SL. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut, of which two units were made, holds a special spot in motoring history. Mercedes commissioned production in 1955 headed by their racing engineer at the time, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, hence the car's name. Under the hood, it got a 3.0-liter straight-8 engine that would slingshot it to 180mph, making it the fastest car in the world during its era.
After the first generation, Mercedes made five more SL generations, leading to the current model unveiled in 2022. The second generation, produced from 1963 to 1971, had Mercedes inline-6 engines. And it wasn't until 1971 that Mercedes started using V8 engines in the SL. The Mercedes Benz SL saw tremendous technology, suspension, comfort, and engine upgrades, including V12 engines in the fourth and sixth generations. Each Mercedes Benz SL generation has roadster (convertible) and coupe variants. When the technology allowed them to do so, Mercedes Benz even sold some units with electronically convertible tops. Otherwise, owners had to remove or fold the top manually.
The SL500 name was first used when Mercedes used a 5.0-liter V8 in the 1981 (third generation) Mercedes Benz 500 SL. It would then be used as SL 500 or 500 SL in other generations with the same engine, for example, the 2003 Mercedes SL500 Roadster. Other SL cars got the SL 500 or 500 SL names but did not have the 5.0-liter V8. Coming from a rich legacy, does the 2022 Mercedes SL maintain that legacy, or is it a flop?
After a one-year hiatus, Mercedes unveiled the new Mercedes Benz SL, and it had an impressive all-new look. Not sure what others would say, but the fabric roof made from triple layer is enough reason to say that the engineers were still in touch with the SL's roots since the original SL roadster had a fabric roof. Mercedes made it clear that no single component is shared between the 2022 SL and its predecessors, including the exterior design language. However, take a quick walk around the car, and you won't fail to notice some AMG GT-like design features, for example, the long hood.
The exterior design is well executed, starting with the front Panamericana grille first used in the 1952 300 SL that raced in several Le Mans races, including one in Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. Now you know where the name comes from. The sharp and slim LED headlights do more than enough to give the Mercedes Benz SL an appeasing appeal. During the day, they can be used as daytime running lights to enhance the car's appeal even more. Bold, curvy body lines complement the car's lengthy wheelbase, perfectly flowing all the way to the rear, where you are met by sleek LED taillights merged by a trunk panel gap line. A wing sits hidden in the trunk lid but can be raised if need be. But whether raised or hidden, it adds that race car touch to the SL that it very much deserves.
The 2022 Mercedes SL's interior is one of the early releases we got to see even before the car was unveiled. It features four seats, the first time Mercedes used a 2+2 seating configuration since 1989. However, being a coupe, don't expect much comfort while sitting in the rear seats, mainly due to insufficient headroom and legroom. Front active multi-contour massaging comfort leather seats are standard in every trim, but buyers could opt for sportier AMG seats.
Ambient lighting graces the car on the dashboard and the doors, and it can be controlled via the 11.9-inch adjustable infotainment touchscreen that sits between the driver and the front passenger. Stereo options depend on buyer options, but as standard, you get a Burmester 3D Surround Sound System. Mercedes' turbine vent nozzles sit on each end of the dashboard, and they give the cabin a modern design in addition to functioning as vents. Also adding to SL's modern interior design is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which can be customized according to driver preferences and driving mode.
One of the best attributes for a Grand Tourer to have is excellent tech features that do more than improve ride quality and comfort. The Mercedes Benz SL has its fair share of high-end tech features, starting with the star of the show being the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) operating system. MBUX is tailored to offer enhanced usability, safety and comfort, and some of the features we love about it are that it has voice control and can be individualized. If it makes you feel better, MBUX has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Being an AMG model, the SL gets AMG Active Ride Control with hydraulic roll stabilization. This replaces traditional anti-roll bars, and provides better driver feedback, and has better ride comfort when driving straight, on a bumpy road and in corners. Also, due to its long wheelbase, Mercedes equipped the SL with rear-axle steering for better maneuverability at low speeds and better handling at high speeds.
Driver assist and safety features are in plenty in the Mercedes Benz SL. Some of the best include:
In true Mercedes "One Man One Engine" fashion, each Mercedes Benz SL63 and SL55 has a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The engine drives all four wheels vis Mercedes' 4-Matic all-wheel-drive system, making the Mercedes Benz SL the first all-wheel-drive SL. The SL63 has 577 horsepower while the SL55 has 469 horsepower, which is still adequate for 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. In comparison, the SL 63 is a whole second quicker, doing 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. How about the lesser-known SL43? The SL43 is a 4-cylinder engine rear-wheel-drive SL variant with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with hybrid assist making 375 horsepower. But it's no slouch. It can do 0-60 in slightly under 5 seconds, going on to achieve a top speed of 170 mph.
Acceleration in the SL43 is satisfactory, but it's thrilling yet smooth in the SL55 and SL63. The new lightweight aluminum chassis provides excellent ride comfort and precise driving aerodynamics. Ride comfort and drivability are also enhanced by AMF Active Ride Control Suspension, active engine mounts, and an electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential. All trim levels get the Mercedes AMG Speedshift 9-speed multi-clutch transmission. It not only ensures smooth and precise gear shifts but also has a Race Start function for when you want to show your friends you're not driving a grandpa's coupe.
According to CarEdge, a Mercedes 2022 SL will depreciate 33% after five years and have a 5-year resale value of $84,562. This is not a bad depreciation rate, considering most cars lose more than 60% of their value after the first five years. Older Mercedes Benz SL models have started appreciating, and maybe it's time you get yourself one. But which one should you get?
There's no doubt that a 300SL is the SL to get since they retail for million-dollar price tags. But not everyone has that type of money just sitting around. You could start by hunting down a 190SL, and you can easily find one for slightly over or under $100,000. 190SL prices are steadily on the rise, and you might make a decent profit out of one if your sole purpose is collecting, playing the waiting game, and then selling.
There are other collectible classic SLs, but you might have to do some research before buying. For example, a 2003 Mercedes SL500 or a 2004 Mercedes SL500 might seem like a collectible, but it's not. Check production numbers and car history before buying any Mercedes Benz SL 500. Some are classified as rare depending on their color, spec and where they were sold.
Modern SLs are also very collectible despite being newer. The twin-turbo V12 SL65 AMG Black Series is one good example. 350 were built, half of which were intended for the US market. Price during production was at around $300,000, and some units have sold for hundreds of thousands more than that. However, buying an SL65 AMG is a gamble since some units have sold for almost half their original value.
Despite being ages apart, you can't fail to see the resemblance between the current Mercedes Benz SL and its early predecessors. To start with, Mercedes dropped the hard top for a convertible soft top, which resembles the 300 SL roadster's top. They also did it to save weight, which is one of the SL's design origins. If you didn't know, the SL means Sport Leicht, which is Sport Lightweight in English. The Mercedes Benz SL represents technological advancements that Mercedes has been pioneering in the motoring industry for the longest time. Also, the fact that Mercedes engineers hand-build the engines used in the SL goes a long way in showing how unique the SL is. By offering a cheaper option to the SL55 and SL63, Mercedes Benz takes us back to the 190 SL, which was made as a cheaper option to the 300 SL. But this time, with little compromise to luxury and performance, which are the SL's most desirable attributes.
Car manufacturers are slowly dropping coupes in favor of family wagons and SUVs. However, the Mercedes Benz SL still faces stiff competition from the few manufacturers that are making Grand Tourer cars. The BMW 8 series and the Aston Martin Vantage are its biggest competitors, especially since they are closely matched in pricing and performance. If you can sacrifice luxury and a little bit of comfort, the Porsche 911 992 and Audi R8 are excellent alternatives to the Mercedes Benz SL. There's also the Bentley Continental GT, which retails for higher prices but ticks all the requirements you'd want in a Grand Tourer.
In the words of Mat Watson, should you avoid the Mercedes Benz SL, consider it, shortlist it or buy it? It offers the perfect balance between performance, luxury, and affordability, so you should go ahead and buy it. If you're eying an older model, be it an SL500 or SL350, do proper market and ownership research to ensure you're buying the right SL500.
Like any other car, a Mercedes SL500 can only be reliable and durable when maintained and used correctly. However, SL500s require special care since most of them are older.
Mercedes made the first ones in 1981 with the 5.0-liter V8. Later on, other SLs with the 5.0-liter V8 were sold as the SL 500 or 500 SL, and the name was used for SLs with other engines until 2020 in the SL500 with the 4.7-liter V8.
Most car enthusiasts would argue that the Mercedes Benz 300 SL and 300 SLR are the best Mercedes SL, which is true. Without these two, we wouldn't have the current Mercedes Benz SL and others, such as the Mercedes Benz AMG.
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